Australia Urged to Protect Members of the Iranian Women’s Soccer Team

Victoria Kim reports from Sydney in The New York Times that Australia faced mounting calls on Monday to help members of Iran’s national women’s soccer team.

“War in theMiddle East Advertisement Supported by The athletes, who are set to head home, were called ‘traitors’ by Iran’s state media after they didn’t sing their national anthem during a match in Australia”

New York Times

Iranian state media called the athletes "traitors" for not singing the national anthem during a match in Australia.

New York Times

The 26-member squad is expected to return home after playing their final game of the women’s Asian Cup on Sunday night, and it was not immediately clear when they were scheduled to depart Australia.

Members of the Iranian diaspora, sports officials and Australian politicians expressed concern that the players’ safety could be at risk when they arrive in Iran.

Worries for the team arose last week during its first match of the tournament, when the players remained silent during the national anthem in an apparent protest against the Iranian government.

A commentator on Iranian state television called for their punishment.

New York Times

Tina Kordrostami, a local councilor in the Sydney area who said she had been in contact with some of the players, called the silent protest "one of the most courageous things I’ve seen" and said, "They can only talk with silence. It was a dismissal of the regime."

Reza Pahlavi, an exiled son of the deposed Iranian shah, said on social media that the women had engaged in a 'brave act of civil disobedience', warned they would face 'dire consequences' upon returning home, and urged the Australian government to 'ensure their safety and give them any and all needed support.'

“War in theMiddle East Advertisement Supported by The athletes, who are set to head home, were called ‘traitors’ by Iran’s state media after they didn’t sing their national anthem during a match in Australia”

New York Times

FIFPro, a global soccer players' union, also expressed concern for the women's safety and called on the sport's governing bodies to engage with the Australian government to make sure 'every effort is made to protect the safety of the players.'